Thousands of street parties planned to celebrate the life of murdered MP Jo Cox

Thousands of street parties and baking competitions will be held across the country to celebrate the life of the former Labour MP Jo Cox. 

The Duchess of Cornwall joined Jamie Oliver today to launch what campaigners hope will be the biggest community event since the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. 

The Great Get Together will involve tens of thousands of community events on the weekend of June 17 and 18, a year after the MP was killed. 

The a 41-year-old mother of two was murdered by a gunman on the steps of her constituency surgery on June 16 last year.

The event is designed to bring people together within communities and Mrs Cox's widower, Brendan, said there could be "no more fitting tribute" to his wife.

Speaking before the launch, he said: "Jo loved a party and she would have been thrilled by the idea of The Great Get Together.

"As she said in her maiden speech in parliament - we have far more in common than that which divides us.

"Jo wanted a chance to bring our communities together to celebrate what unites us.

"There could be no more fitting tribute to her memory than The Great Get Together helping to do just that."

People are being invited to come together with friends, neighbours and strangers for street parties, picnics, barbecues and bake-off competitions.

Organisers say they expect it to be the biggest event of its kind since the jubilee celebrations in 2012.

Jamie Oliver said: "There's nothing better than a good get-together with friends, family and amazing food. The Great Get Together takes it to a whole new level.

"Food connects us to the best things in life - it breaks down barriers, and gets people talking and sharing happy times like nothing else.

"This is an awesome initiative, and I'm really proud to add my support."

Theresa May paid tribute to the work Mr Cox is doing to bring communities together.

The Prime Minister said that at a moment of "momentous" change for Britain, it is important to remember the words the late MP said in her maiden speech in the Commons that "we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us".

Speaking during PMQs, Mrs May said: "What is becoming known as the Great Get Together is a fitting and, I think, important tribute to our late colleague Jo Cox.

"And I would like to commend her husband Brendan, and I'm sure everybody across this House wish to do so, for the work which he has done."

Calling for a toast to the Great Get Together, the Duchess of Cornwall said: "May it go from strength to strength."

Turning to Mr Cox, she added: "I hope that wherever Jo is now she will be looking down proudly at seeing what a wonderful job you are doing."